POV Eina
I watched Kaen's back as he walked away from the Guild, carrying the beginner's equipment I had just lent him.
There was something different about this new adventurer—an honesty that was rare among the glory seekers who usually came to my desk.
Most beginner adventurers came with sparkling eyes, full of fantasies about wealth and fame. They saw the Dungeon like a gold mine waiting to be excavated.
But Kaen... he didn't even hide his helplessness. Instead, he admitted it with somewhat sad laughter.
"Poor and honest," I murmured while organizing his documents.
"A rare combination."
I returned to my desk, but my thoughts were still lingering on our earlier conversation. The way he listened carefully to every word of my warnings, how he didn't interrupt with arrogant questions about "when can I go to the lower floors" or "how long until I'm as strong as high-level adventurers."
Most beginners considered safety advice boring.
They wanted to know quick strategies, shortcuts, or secret techniques. But Kaen actually asked about the beginner equipment program. Practical. Realistic.
"Eina-chan!"
I turned around. Misha ran up to me with a wide smile.
"I saw you with a new adventurer earlier. The one with brown hair, shabby clothes. Who is he?"
"Kaen," I answered briefly.
"Just joined the Hestia Familia."
Misha's eyes widened. "Hestia Familia? The goddess who lives in that old church?"
I nodded. "Why? Is there a problem?"
"No, no!" Misha raised both hands.
"It's just... it's very rare for anyone to want to join her familia. I mean, Hestia-sama is very kind, but..."
"But she doesn't have any facilities," I continued.
"I know."
Misha sat in a chair beside my desk. "You know, a few months ago there was an adventurer who tried to join her. But after seeing the condition of the church... he immediately left."
I rolled my eyes. "Of course. People want instant results without struggle."
"But that adventurer earlier... Kaen, right? He seemed... different."
I stopped writing and looked at Misha. "What do you mean?"
"He didn't look greedy. Even his appearance was very modest. And earlier when he left the Guild, he stopped in front of a food vendor. I thought he was going to buy something, but he just kept walking with a... sad face."
A strange feeling arose in my chest. Pity? Or... sympathy?
"He said he hasn't eaten since yesterday afternoon," I said quietly.
Misha fell silent for a moment. "Wow... that's... really difficult."
I looked out the Guild window. The sun had begun to set, and magical lamps started lighting up along the street.
Food vendors had begun preparing their evening dishes. The faint aroma of toasted bread and warm soup could be smelled.
"Eina-chan?" Misha looked at me with a curious expression. "Are you thinking about something?"
"No," I answered quickly. But that lie felt awkward on my tongue.
Misha smiled. "You're worried about that new adventurer, aren't you?"
"Of course I'm worried," I said, trying to sound professional. "That's part of my job as an advisor. Making sure adventurers don't die from stupid mistakes."
"But this is different," Misha teased.
"Usually you only worry when they've already entered the Dungeon. This is just the first day and you're already—"
"That's enough, Misha."
She laughed softly, but didn't continue her teasing. We returned to work in silence, each finishing administrative documents. But my thoughts kept wandering.
I remembered Kaen's face when he received the beginner equipment. Not an arrogant expression or excessive confidence. But... grateful. As if that shabby leather armor and thin steel sword were the greatest gifts in his life.
When was the last time I saw an adventurer act like that?
Most of them came with high expectations. They wanted high-quality armor, mithril weapons, or at least equipment that wasn't "embarrassing." But Kaen... he accepted what was given.
"Eina-chan," Misha tapped my shoulder.
"You're daydreaming again."
I shook my head quickly. "Sorry. Just thinking about tomorrow's work schedule."
"Really?" Misha grinned.
"Or thinking about that new adventurer?"
I looked at her with a flat expression. "Misha, you know I don't—"
"Relax, relax." She raised her hand.
"I'm just kidding. But... seriously, Eina-chan. I rarely see you this worried about a new adventurer."
I let out a long sigh. "Maybe because... he reminds me of myself."
"What do you mean?"
"When I first started working at the Guild. I also didn't know anything. Scared, nervous, but trying hard not to look stupid. The difference is, I had a decent place to live and food on the table."
Misha fell silent. Her expression became more serious.
"You're really worried he won't survive, aren't you?"
"The statistics aren't good," I said while opening my notes.
"Beginner adventurers without strong familia support have a 40% mortality rate in the first month. Especially those who start without capital, without connections, and without experienced mentors."
"But he has Hestia-sama."
"Hestia-sama is a new goddess. She's kind-hearted, but doesn't have experience guiding adventurers. And more importantly... doesn't have the resources to help if an emergency occurs."
Misha nodded slowly. "So... will you do something?"
I looked at her.
"What can I do? My job is only to give advice and process administration. Nothing more."
"But you care."
"Of course I care. I care about all adventurers registered with the Guild."
"This is different and you know it."
I fell silent. Misha was right, but I didn't want to admit it. There was something about Kaen that made me... connected. Maybe because of his honesty. Maybe because he didn't try to be someone he wasn't.
Or maybe because I saw shadows of my past in him.
"Alright," I said finally.
"Maybe I will... watch him more closely. Make sure he doesn't make fatal mistakes."
Misha smiled.
"That's what I like about you, Eina-chan. You never give up on people who really need help."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't hide a small smile. "Don't be too dramatic, Misha."
"How about checking on his condition tomorrow? Maybe giving him some additional tips?"
"I'll see." I returned to my documents.
"If he comes for a report after his first exploration."
"And if he doesn't come?"
I stopped writing. That question made my chest tighten. If Kaen didn't come... it could mean two things. He gave up and went back to his village, or...
"He'll come," I said confidently.
"He's not the type to give up easily."
Misha nodded. "I hope you're right."
We continued working until the Guild closed. When preparing to go home, I glanced toward the window. Night had fallen, and the streets were beginning to empty. Food vendors had started packing up their wares.
I wondered if Kaen had eaten dinner. Whether Hestia-sama had enough food for two. Whether he was already asleep, or still awake from worries about tomorrow.
"Eina-chan," Misha called me.
"Let's go home."
"Yes, just a moment."
I took my coat and prepared to leave. But before leaving my desk, I looked once more at Kaen's file. His ID photo was displayed there—a young face with honest eyes and a simple smile.
"Good luck," I whispered.
Tomorrow, I would wait for him to come with his first exploration report. And I would make sure he didn't make mistakes that could end his life.